Entertainment
The Ellen DeGeneres Show loses over 1m viewers following ‘toxic’ workplace scandal
The Ellen DeGeneres Show has lost over 1million viewers following allegations that emerged last year of a ‘toxic work environment’ on the programme.
Last summer, several employees of Ellen DeGeneres’ hit talk show came forward in a damning report with claims of racism, fear and intimidation behind-the-scenes of the production.
Ellen, 63, addressed the accusations of misconduct in her opening monologue for season 18 in September 2020, stating that following an investigation, she ‘learned that things happened here that never should have happened’, adding: ‘I take responsibility for what happens at my show.’
While season 18 has continued to air from September up to the present month, according to data measurement firm Nielsen, the show has seen a sharp decline in viewership since the allegations came to light.
Over the past six months, The Ellen DeGeneres Show has averaged 1.5million viewers, more than 1million fewer than the same period last year, when it garnered an average of 2.6million viewers, The New York Times reported.
This equates to a decline of just over 42% of the show’s viewers, with Nielsen adding that the series has also seen a 38% decline of its core demographic (adult women under the age of 54).
According to research firm Kantar, the 18-year-old show has also seen its advertising revenue decrease by around 20% from September 2020 to January 2021 in comparison to the same period for the previous season.
In February this year, Ellen and her wife Portia de Rossi took part in a joint interview for People magazine, where the talk show host opened up about how her partner provided her with support amid the ‘toxic’ workplace controversy.
‘It broke my heart; I couldn’t have gone through everything I went through without her,’ Ellen said.
‘It was a horrible time in my life, and she was a rock. She kept me going and tried to help me put things in perspective.’
In November 2020, Ellen used her People’s Choice Award acceptance speech to express her gratitude towards fans who have been ‘sticking by me’.
‘I know [where] this award comes from – thank you to the people. Thank you to all of my fans for supporting me, for sticking by me. I cannot tell you how grateful I am. This means more than I can say,’ she said.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show airs on NBC in the US and ITV2 in the UK.
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